Wow, my professional life has taken on some new twists. Everyday there is a new obstacle or a new victory. I find myself often saying Psalm 46:10 to myself; “Be still and know that I am God.” I am so grateful to have a God who wants all of me and always wants the best for me.
Last weekend I was watching the epic Wimbeldon tennis championship match between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick and just prior to the match the cameras were inside the clubhouse at Wimbeldon and on the wall in the clubhouse was a quote from Rudyard Kipling’s “If” poem; “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same…yours is the earth and everything that is in it.”
Back in 1977, my high school graduation card from my parents contained Kipling’s “If” poem. When I read the line about Triumph and Disaster I had no clue what it meant. Today I know what it means, and being able to view Triumph and Disaster as imposters allows me to reap the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22) and in turn have balance and peace in my life.
Treating triumphs and disasters as imposters requires me to turn my life over to God first thing in the morning and not take it back. When I do this and something great happens during the day, I thank God for the blessing, and give him the glory, and if something not-so-great happens I thank God for the lesson. Paul talks about this in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Being able to view triumphs and disasters as blessings and lessons allows us to be more focused on doing what God wants us to do. Ask yourself how much time you waste searching for triumphs and/or getting sucked into self-proclaimed disasters. If you find yourself too high or too low you are giving yourself way too much credit and control for what is happening in your life. Turn it over to God all day long and experience the blessings!
P.E.A.C.E.
Hi Jay,
Many years ago when our son Micah was in high school and going through difficult times, I saw this poem, and made a copy for him. I was having a tough time “reaching” him and hoped that the poem would speak to him. It did, he taped to the back of his bedroom door and it remain there until he left home. The wisdom in this one poem is monumental. It has been one of my favorites, we all experience Triumph and Disaster in our lives, but not to sway to either side is key. For myself, every day I do a “self check”, I check on my emotions, intentions and motives. I check to see if I am being selfish or not. I have to go deep to find my truth and face it squarely every day. I have to watch out for “the things I give my life to…” I am very aware that my life can become out of balance, my perception can be twisted and I can become a fool. Proverbs 9: 13 ( in the applified Bible) says that “The foolish woman is noisy; she is simple and open to all forms of evil, she willfully and recklessly knows nothing whatever of eternal value.” I can be that noisy woman!
Blessings and thanks for your wisdom,
Donna Sevitts
Blessings and thanks for your wisdom right back at you Donna. In this highly competive society we live in, it is so easy to get sucked into the Triumph and Disaster mindset…afterall that is all our news channels report. Take Care!
This is why I hang with you guys!